‘It’s a lot of hockey:’ Penguins star Sidney Crosby gears up for 1,200th NHL game

When Sidney Crosby steps on the ice in San Jose this Saturday for the Pittsburgh Penguins, it'll be a milestone moment for the Cole Harbour, N.S. native.  

When Sidney Crosby steps on the ice in San Jose this Saturday, it’ll be a milestone moment for the Nova Scotia hockey star.

The captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins will be playing his 1,200th game.

“It’s a lot of hockey,” he told reporters during a scrum posted on the Penguins’ social media.

“I’m just grateful I have been able to play this long. I love it just as much as I did game one.”

He said he doesn’t focus much on “milestones” like games played, but more about the span of time — and the experiences and friendships  that have gone on over the years.

Crosby is in good company. He ranks second in most games played among Nova Scotia-born NHL players.

The number one spot goes to Port Hood’s Al MacInnis, who played 1,416 games in his 23 seasons with the Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues.